 jessica whitney - jessw | All Comments |
Comments | |
| 28th April 2008 John | Move over Anthony Bourdain - From: What a Long, Wonderful Trip It's Been... or whatever his name is. You did a wonderful job Jess - and I am not talking about your wonderful travel journal - I am talking about your engaging with the larger world. I applaud and admire you. John |
| 26th April 2008 jessw | Well said, John - From: Perhaps my thoughts have been adequately provoked by now I have composed and deleted a half dozen responses to your comment. My mind is full to the brim with thoughts about this, but my ability to articulate them hasn't caught up. But thank you, John, for saying it well, so I don't have to. |
| 26th April 2008 john | rock bottom - From: Perhaps my thoughts have been adequately provoked by now Hi Jess: Maybe you have covered this in other posts, but I am responding to your comment about the deepest poverty you have seen so far. Given where you have been already, one might suppose that you had seen the worst of the worst - the side streets of Bangkok, for example are pretty appalling in Vermont eyes - but it is in Cambodia that you have seen the worst. I recall reading that in human populations if plague or some disaster kills all the young or the old or the young and the old, the population will survive. But, if the disaster attacks the middle - the adult generation, the population will not survive. Maybe I am simplifying my memory of this reading too much, but that is how it comes through now. So, I am thinking of the year zero in Cambodia when Brother Number One set about killing such a great number of the adults, especially the competent ones (at least as defined as those who had obtained an education) and who also set about destroying all traces of previous records, history, culture, human infrastructure. What is left of such an atrocity? I do not doubt that the people of Cambodia have as much, if not more, capacity for the human spirit as any culture (how else explain the vibrancy of the people and villages you have seen ever since arriving in Asia?) but what you are seeing, I think, are the echoes of the killing fields. The children who came of age during the terrors are not raising their own children, except without benefit of having been raised themselves. They are survivors of a people who were sent into a savage experiment and who knows how many generations it will be before they recover? Who knows if they will recover? Once again, thanks for taking us along on your journey, John |
| 25th April 2008 Mary and Greg Campbell | WOW. - From: Our Cambodian field trip; another thought-provoking experience WOW. Wow. What excellent ambassadors you all are. |
| 25th April 2008 Molly | So amazing Jess! - From: Kangaroo Karma in Cambodia Jess, I can't imagine what it must be like to really be there, but from the bottom of my heart thanks for getting me as close to it as possible. You're such a gifted writer and you are keeping me very very entertained...and sad, because it makes me miss you SO much. Thank you so much for putting so much time into this for everyone! Love, Molly |
| 24th April 2008 john | Feeling Better? - From: “How many kip in a baht?” or “How much did I just pay for that???” Hi Jess. I am reading some of your postings backwards - difficult for me to be linear in the best of circumstances, but here in the East I find my linearity is more like a mobius strip. Anyway - you are doing a great job of taking us all along on your journey and I hope you are back out from under the weather. I notice inChiang Mai that some new form of graffiti vandals were at work: someone was spreading clay and plaster juice willy nilly over everything. I finally realized that what I was seeing was the dried up remains of throwing muddy water during songkran. Another good reason to hope for rain. John |
| 23rd April 2008 Miriam | Home Soon - From: From Laos to Cambodia Although I have enjoyed reading this blog more than I can say, I am just DYING to see you in person. I agree with other folks who have commented that it would be divine if Jess could travel and blog for a living, and the rest of us could read, enjoy and decide which experiences we will have for ourselves, and which we will leave for others to enjoy. |
| 23rd April 2008 Marti | Enchanted Cambodia - From: Kangaroo Karma in Cambodia The story of you finding the card on the street that happened to be the missing one from the kids' deck shows how magical this whole experience has been. And Jess, not just for you all, but for so many people who look forward to and read your blogs daily. I print a copy out everyday and have it on my desk and people love it! Rosella &Cheryl have even taken the whole folder ( or book at this point) home for weekend reading. We have all missed you greatly but almost wish you could continue on travel blogging the world for us. Keep it up. Love, Marti |
| 23rd April 2008 Lindol & Corky | What will we do? - From: Kangaroo Karma in Cambodia What are we going to do when you return home? We have loved reading your blog so much, we're not sure what we will do when it ends! Can't wait to hear more. |
| 23rd April 2008 john | Fabu! - From: Another lazy and wonderful day in Laos Jess, your tales of travel are just wonderful. Thank you for putting so much effort into entertainment for others. John |
| 21st April 2008 Steve | comments? - From: Exploring Luang Prabang Hi all, Jess is losing motivation to blog because no one is responding, get with it if you want to read more. THANKS. See you soon. Take care, Steve |
| 19th April 2008 jessw | Thanks, Ingrid, and enjoy! - From: Skipping through Cambodia; words cannot begin to describe this day Glad to know you enjoyed this - and I envy your plan to live in Cambodia. The cruise company is Pandaw (www.pandaw.com) - not cheap, but priceless, and I heartily recommend it to anyone who can do it. If you'll be blogging at all while you're in Cambodia, let me know so I can follow along! |
| 19th April 2008 ingrid | Complete Awe - From: Skipping through Cambodia; words cannot begin to describe this day Just have say that I was in complete awe of your description of the cocktail party on the Mekong. I will be living in Cambodia soon and reading blogs like this makes me so happy. I can't wait to get there. What was the name of the cruise line? |
| 18th April 2008 Steve | FOOD! - From: Songkran - the holiday that never ends? Hello, i have to mention that the food was indeed spicy hot, and delicious. Each dish with a different taste of 'hotness', and not all hot, hot. My traveling companions often 'force' me to finish the dishes because they are "too full". A tough task, but somebody......you know. Have I mentioned how damn cute the SE Asian kids are, they are. take care, Steve |
| 18th April 2008 Steve | grouchy - From: Songkran - the fun goes on, but we leave Chiang Mai behind Jess, thanks. Jess was kind enough to not mention that i became an ugly spoiled American on the train. I was complaining that the AC was not cold enough,Wah. Ok smiling FR folks you know how I am grouchy, that was me. Tired, hot, big deal, I'm on vaca. For Karma's sake I'm coming clean. No more wahs. Miss you all. -Steve |
| 16th April 2008 Mary Campbell | I have a vocabulary question. - From: Songkran - the fun goes on, but we leave Chiang Mai behind Ladyboy? |
| 15th April 2008 susan clarke | happy times....\ - From: Surprise, Surprise, Surprise! Happy Birthday, Mom! hey meda...girlfriend..... wow what an adventure. welcome to the medicare card time! can't wait to see you in person and hear from you all you have been experiencing. happy birthday dear friend. love ya, susie |
| 12th April 2008 Keven | What a great Birthday - From: Surprise, Surprise, Surprise! Happy Birthday, Mom! Happy Birthday Meda ! Jess, just catching up with the entries today. I continue to be very impressed with the writing and the photos. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful trip in a way that makes it seem as if we are traveling with you. Can't wait to hear more when you return. Hello to Steve Take Care K |
| 12th April 2008 Jill Carberry | - From: Surprise, Surprise, Surprise! Happy Birthday, Mom! Hi Jess - I have been waiting for this one....such a wonderful surprise for your mother. Unbelievable, really. And back to Victor Hugo.... according to that family I know, Hugo is to Cao Dai as Jesus is to Catholicism.....hmmm. |
| 12th April 2008 Sara Denny | Happy Birthday, Meda! - From: Surprise, Surprise, Surprise! Happy Birthday, Mom! Very cool, Jess. Since your skillful and manipulative foreshadowing of the surprise I have been impatiently checking for your blog. Are you sure you don't have Billy in a box somewhere ready to jump out? Great fun. Thanks for the treat: I get to feel like I'm there without the sweat. |
| 11th April 2008 sky guy | word of the day - jealous! - From: From Siem Reap (Cambodia) to Bangkok (Thailand) jessica! what an amazing blog for what sounds like an amazing trip. although i am envious and a bit jealous, your blog has me feeling like im there with you all and enjoying it just as much as you are. and i thought it was getting hot in san diego! tell nin i said hi, and by now im sure jazzy and the boys have arrived! i cant wait to hear more about the trip and maybe we can get in touch by phone at some point. love ya all and miss you like crazy! |
| 10th April 2008 Corky & Lindol | Heartily and publicly agree - From: Like rats in a maze Lindol & I are also enjoying your travel blog. I always knew what a great traveler you were. Just never quite knew about your talent for writing. Thank you Jess for sharing this with us and of course, our best to your mom. Corky |
| 8th April 2008 jessw | Thanks to everyone for your comments and messages - From: Tuktuks are definitely my favorite mode of transportation I enjoy hearing that people are reading the blog, though some of your comments are bordering on blasphemy: trumping Anthony Bourdain, indeed! Thanks for the undeserved praise. I find I am enjoying writing about our trip as much as I am enjoying experiencing it - it gives me a great way to review the day's events and cement some of the memories into my brain (at least I hope it will!) I hope everyone at home is well and enjoying what I hear is a hint of spring in the air. - Jess |
| 8th April 2008 Miriam | You trump Tony Bourdain - From: Tuktuks are definitely my favorite mode of transportation I watched a long show on TV yesterday with Tony Bourdain traveling to Vietnam and commenting on the food that he ate. I never would have watched this show had it not been for you. In any case, he ate a duck cooked in clay. Feathers, blood and all. He is not nearly as thought provoking as you are. Your blog continues to be fascinating. |
| 7th April 2008 Steve | Nin - From: Mom lives! Meda, you look Fabulous and smiling in every photo, glad you're alive and well and having fun. love, Steve |
| 7th April 2008 Marti | Burnedmeat flavour Biscuits & Monkeys - From: Like rats in a maze We are all SO enjoying your adventures - maybe you should just travel the world endlessly blogging those of us who aren't such great travelers! Anyway, the other night I couldn't sleep and was watching all the talk shows alternately. Jay Leno was doing a bit where he was showing a number of unusual items available at the 99 Cent Store in LA. I swear he had the Burnedmeat flavour Biscuits , which he tried and highly recommended to all his arsonist friends! Wierd coincidence! Also , I have noticed very little blogging about monkeys on this trip...are they not really as pesty, adorable and numerous as all the travel sites lead you to believe? Had to ask - you know how I feel about them! Your mom is a real inspiration- Happy Birthday Meda! Keep it up - you are entertaining more people with this blog than you know! Thanks! Marti |
| 7th April 2008 Judith Janone | Meda - From: Mom lives! Soooo glad to see the lovely Meda and know she is well and having fun |
| 7th April 2008 J Whitney | - From: Would you like a side order of embryonic duck with that, Madame? Mmmmm, semi-ducklings. Yum. Aren't they called Blutes? I remember them from being in similar parts of the world, Never actually ate one though. You have greater intestinal fortitude than I. Thanks for writing the Blog! |
| 7th April 2008 Jonathan | Pico Iyer - From: Would you like a side order of embryonic duck with that, Madame? Jess, You will love Pico Iyer - I would start with "The Lady and the Monk." I love your postings and miss them on days when you can't send. I will surely go into withdrawal when your trip is finished. Love to Meda. -jonathan |
| 4th April 2008 Steve | food? - From: Skipping through Cambodia; words cannot begin to describe this day That all sounds great Jess, but what were the hor d'ouvres? |
| 4th April 2008 Miriam | So Beautiful - From: A thought-provoking day in Phnom Penh Reading about this day was like a gift you gave us. Thanks for your beautiful descriptions. Keep it coming. I like gifts. |
| 4th April 2008 Judith Janone | Mekong - From: Skipping through Cambodia; words cannot begin to describe this day Your night on the Mekong brings tears to my eyes. |
| 4th April 2008 Steve | savor - From: You buy from me, Madame!" Hi, you questioned how do people read through your long entries? Well for me, and i think others, with any good writing i don't want to rush through it. I like to really taste it, savor it and then swallow. And it's always well worth the time. Keep writing lots! LOVE, me |
| 4th April 2008 Steve | tear jerking - From: A thought-provoking day in Phnom Penh and heart wrenching |
| 2nd April 2008 Steve | Yes continue - From: Fewer words, more photos this time Hello, please write write write also the pics are fabulous especially the kids, more of them. My mouth waters even with the common food, and eat! you were getting too skinny anyways. LOVE, me |
| 1st April 2008 bailee star | this is great! - From: 103 degrees in the shade Jess, This is great--your pictures are amazing and stories are so descriptive that, as my dad might say, I don't even have to go there! This made me think of how much things have changed since I traveled in Asia in 1991. I wish this sort of technology was available--it's such an amazing way to preserve memories. Sounds like you guys are having quite an adventure--I can't wait to hear more--and compare stories--when you return! Love, Bailee |
| 1st April 2008 moldvictim | indispensable details - From: Fewer words, more photos this time Jessica, Please! don't apolgize about the length of your journal entry! Your diary is so beneficial, effective, and provides light, color, sound, movement, brings us into the scenes you are living brilliantly, in 3D. A few weeks ago, during our blizzard I was craving Eggplant Parmagian, and eventually convinced our local food emporium, 'Current Cuisine' to fix a tray of it; I bought 7 portions! to know that you were served it in Vietnam, is amazing synchronicity! Your descriptive commentary covers so many issues so well: Development, local economies, transportation forms, climate, foods. Tell us a little about the garments folks in various regions are wearing |
| 29th March 2008 Keven | Vt perspective - From: Saigon: a city better suited to video than to still photos Jess Catching up on your blog today. Sounds like you and your Mom are having a great time. I look forward to hearing about your trip on the river. It continues to be winter here despite what the calendar says. Enjoy the lovely warm weather. The pictures are fabulous. |
| 29th March 2008 lynne | food of course - From: BANGKOK - we hit the ground running (or pedaling!) Jess--I am loving your posts too, especially about the food which I remember with both fondness and respect. I remember a certain "hot soup", and telling the waitstaff that she couldn't make it too hot for me. . .big mistake but rectified with about a gallon of beer. Is it DURIAN season? If so, don't miss out on the scent/smell, especially. Lynne |
| 29th March 2008 sherry | - From: Saigon: a city better suited to video than to still photos What a wonderful blog! I can truly feel the experience. Meda, I'm in awe of your being able to keep up with this pace, at your age. HA! Biking in Bangkok? Wow, even if it wasn't 98, it would be a tremendous challenge. I can't wait to hear more. |
| 28th March 2008 Jill Carberry | - From: Saigon: a city better suited to video than to still photos Hi Jess very cool blog...anyway, I was curious to read of your visit to Cao Dai temple. the family I suggested you speak with practices that religion. The dad in the family travelled to CA last summer to help build a temple. I will ask them about the Victor Hugo connection!! Yum...pho on at a cafe in Saigon City - not quite the same as Main St Winooski.......Jill |
| 28th March 2008 Judith Janone | trip - From: Saigon: a city better suited to video than to still photos Have a WONDERFUL time on the river....and yes, I will miss your blogs and look forward to your return. |
| 28th March 2008 Judy Ayers | Wonderful blog - From: Good evening, Vietnam! Steve gave me your blog info today so I've just read your entries so far. My reaction to the traffic situation was quite similar. I decided by the time I left Vietnam that if you couldn't carry it on a motor scooter you didn't need it. Your trip on the Mekong River sounds like it will be great. I look forward to reading all about it. Don't worry about replying to me-I'll just read your stuff. Best wishes to both of you and have a wonderful time. Judy |
| 27th March 2008 Molly Backstrom | I'm amazed! - From: BANGKOK - we hit the ground running (or pedaling!) Jess! Reading your stories make me miss you so much. You have such an incredible way with words, and an amusing way too I must add because I feel like you're just talking right to me and not like I'm reading a blog. I too love the details on the food/drinks/sites. Keep making those memories and I can't wait for your next story! |
| 27th March 2008 Miriam | It's Like I am There - From: Good evening, Vietnam! I love reading the descriptions of what you are seeing, and eating and thinking. Even here in Vermont, I felt a little bit car sick at the description of the taxi ride to the hotel. |
| 27th March 2008 Sara Denny | How's Meda doing? - From: Good evening, Vietnam! Hi Jess and Meda, No doubt those wild rides through the streets remind Meda of her motorscooter days in Burlington. Your blog is delightful. Tell us more about your companion, Jess. I just can't imagine that she's taking it all in without reaction. Sara |
| 27th March 2008 jessw | Forgive our lack of email responses to some of you - From: Good evening, Vietnam! We're receiving email and able to post, but having a bit of trouble sending email back out. I just wanted to let those of you who have posted private messages (which come to us as emails) that we are receiving them (thanks Anne, Corky, Judith, Miriam, Melissa & Tom) but can't easily respond right now. It's really fun hearing from everyone, and we promise to answer when we can. Thinking of all of you - Jess |
| 27th March 2008 Judith Janone | Fabulous - From: Good evening, Vietnam! Such great writing. I can feel as though I were in that taxi. Vividness. |
| 27th March 2008 jessw | Thanks for the comments! - From: BANGKOK - we hit the ground running (or pedaling!) It's really fun to hear from you all, so please feel free to comment or ask questions. Sara: I'm planning a giant "Innards-on-a-Stick" feast for shortly after our return and you will be our honored guest. As for the rest of you, speak up now if you want an invitation! |
| 27th March 2008 Pat | Sa wat dee kha - From: BANGKOK - we hit the ground running (or pedaling!) Jess, I can almost taste/smell/see it all through your colorful descriptions. I'm in awe of your energy. M...an exotic trip planned with and by your daughter... priceless!! Can't wait for more. Love, P |
